State-based control systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.11/411,398 filed Apr. 25, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/870,339, filed Jun. 16, 2004, which is acombination of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/804,718 (now U.S.Pat. No. 6,784,805) filed Mar. 21, 2000, which claims benefit underTitle 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/189,487 filed Mar. 15, 2000, and U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/253,727 filed Nov. 29, 2000.The contents of all of which applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties into this patent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to remote control devices andmore specifically it relates to a state-based remote control system forproviding efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronicdevices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Remote control devices have been in use for years. Remote controldevices are utilized to operate various external electronic devicesincluding but not limited to televisions, stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVDplayers, CD players, amplifiers, equalizers, tape players, cable units,lighting, window shades and other electronic devices. A conventionalremote control is typically comprised of a housing structure, a keypadwithin the housing structure for entering commands by the user,electronic circuitry within the housing structure connected to thekeypad, and a transmitter electrically connected to the electroniccircuitry for transmitting a control signal to an electronic device tobe operated.

The user depresses one or more buttons upon the keypad when a desiredoperation of a specific electronic device is desired. For example, ifthe user desires to turn the power off to a VCR, the user will depressthe power button upon the remote control which transmits a “power off”control signal that is detected by the VCR resulting in the VCR turningoff.

Because of the multiple electronic devices currently available withinmany homes and businesses today, a relatively new type of remote controlis utilized to allow for the control of a plurality of electronicdevices commonly referred to as a “universal remote control.” Mostuniversal remote controls have “selector buttons” that are associatedwith the specific electronic device to be controlled by the remotecontrol (i.e. television; VCR, DVD player, etc.).

A few universal remote controls allow for “macros” to be programmed intothe remote control so that when a preprogrammed button is depressed astring of commands is executed as programmed. For example, if the userdesires to operate their television along with the stereo receivinginput from the television, the user would program a macro for turning onthe television, turning on the stereo and then switching the input tothe stereo for receiving audio input from the television. The mainproblem with conventional universal remote controls is that they areunable to detect or monitor the state of a particular electronic device.Another problem with conventional universal remote controls is that whena preprogrammed macro is executed, an undesirable effect can occurwherein electronic devices that are desired to be turned on are actuallyturned off. For example, if the television is already on but the stereois tuned to a local radio station and the user selects the above macrothe power to the television would actually be turned off instead ofmaintained on.

Recently, universal remote controls have been developed that communicatevia radio frequency (RF) with external sensing devices that areconnected to the electronic devices for detecting the current state ofthe electronic device. Other remote controls are able to receive anddisplay information from the electronic device they control such asdisplaying the same of a radio station on a display of the remote. Thesedevices are relatively expensive and again difficult to utilize for theaverage consumer.

The main problem with conventional remote control devices is that theyare typically unable to know the particular “state” of an electronicdevice they are to control, particularly universal remote controls. Afurther problem with conventional remote controls that do allow foradvanced configuration thereof to compensate for the various states ofthe electronic device is that they are often times difficult for theaverage consumer to utilize. Another problem with conventional remotecontrol devices is that they force consumers to view their electronicdevices “individually” (i.e. turn television on, turn stereo on, switchaudio input on stereo to television) rather than in broad “tasks” (e.g.watch television).

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to whichthey address, they are not as suitable for providing efficient andsimple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinatedsystem based upon an overall task. Conventional remote controls aretypically programmed to operate only one electronic device. Conventionaluniversal remote controls are typically programmed to operate electronicdevices “individually” or are difficult to configure to automatedcontrol of a plurality of electronic devices.

In these respects, the state-based remote control system according tothe present invention substantially departs from the conventionalconcepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides anapparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing efficient andsimple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinatedsystem based upon an overall task.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofremote controls now present in the present art, the present inventionprovides a new state-based remote control system construction whereinthe same cane be utilized for providing efficient and simple operationof a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based uponan overall task.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new state-based remotecontrol system that has many of the advantages of the remote controlsmentioned heretofore and many more features that result in a newstate-based remote control system which is not anticipated, renderedobvious, or even suggested, or even implied by any of the prior artremote controls, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing, akeypad in communication with an electronic system contained within thehousing, and a communication device in communication with the electronicsystem for communicating with external electronic devices. Theelectronic system constantly monitors the buttons selected by a user todetermine the state of all external electronic devices that are to becontrolled. When the user selects a (e.g. watch television), theelectronic system automatically determines the actions required toachieve the desired task based upon the current state of the externalelectronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronicsystem updated the data to reflect the modified state of the externalelectronic devices.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that she detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a state-basedremote control system that will overcome the shortcomings of the priorart devices.

A second object is to provide a state-based remote control system forproviding efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronicdevices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task.

Another object is to provide a state-based remote control system thatprovides for intuitive operation of a plurality of electronic devices.

An additional object is to provide a state-based remote control systemthat allows for the simple operation of a plurality of electronicdevices based upon an overall “task” instead of specific controls forspecific electronic devices.

A further object is to provide at state-based remote control system thatis simple and easy to utilize for the average consumer.

Another object is to provide a state-based remote control system thatdoes not require significant programming prior to usage.

An additional object is to provide a state-based remote control systemthat is affordable.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this inventionmay be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificcontraction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention illustrating electroniccircuitry within.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the communications between thepresent invention and a plurality of external devices.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic system of thepresent invention electrically connected to the power source and incommunication with the external electronic devices.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic system along witha plurality of accessory devices connected to thereof.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the initial programming of thepresent invention prior to usage.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the modification of the state ofexternal electronic devices not in the desired state as desired within atask to be performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an action performed upon one or moreexternal devices and modifying the memory within the electronic systemaccordingly.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the modification of the memorywithin the electronic system to reflect the changed state of theexternal electronic devices after a task or an action has beencompleted.

FIGS. 11 is a flowchart providing an example task for watchingtelevision being executed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turing now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 11 illustrate a state-based remote control system 10, whichcomprises a housing 20, a keypad 114 in communication with an electronicsystem 100 contained within the housing 26, and a communication device108 in communication with the electronic system 100 for communicatingwith external electronic devices 12. The electronic system 100constantly monitors the buttons of the keypad 114 and other switchesselected by a user to determine the state of all external electronicdevices 12 that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g.watch television), the electronic system 100 automatically determinesthe actions required to achieve the desired task based open the currentstate of the external electronic devices 12. After the task has beenfulfilled, the electronic system 100 updates the data to reflect themodified state of the external electronic devices 12.

A. Housing Structure

The present invention generally is comprised of a housing 20 having astructure and shape similar to conventional remote control devices. Thehousing 20 may be constructed of various types of materials and shapesas can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The housing ispreferably structured to be ergonomic for a majority of users.

B. Electronic System

The present invention is utilized to control and operate variousexternal electronic devices including but not limited to televisions,stereos, receivers, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, simplifiers,equalizers, tape players, cable units, satellite dish receivers,lighting, window shades and other electronic devices. Almost any numberof external electronic devices may be controlled by the presentinvention as will be discussed in further detail.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic system 100 forpracticing the various aspects of the present invention. The electronicsystem 100 is preferable enclosed within the housing. A portable powersource 140 is electrically connected to the electronic system 100 forproviding electrical power to the electronic system 100. The powersource 140 may be comprised of any power source such as a batterystructure (disposable or rechargeable), solar cells, or direct power.

The electronic system 100 preferably includes a display screen 104, anetwork interface 112, a keypad 114, a microprocessor 116, a memory bus118, random access memory (RAM)120, a speaker 102, read only memory(ROM) 122, a peripheral bus 124, a keypad controller 126, and acommunications device 108. As can be appreciated, the electronic system100 of the present invention may be comprised of any combination ofwell-known computer devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptopcomputers, remote control devices and other similar electronicstructures.

The microprocessor 116 is a general-purpose distal processer thatcontrols the operation of the electrode system 100. The microprocessor116 can be a single-chip processor or implemented with multiplecomponents. Using instructions retrieved from memory, the microprocessor116 controls the reception and manipulations of input data and theoutput and display of data on output devises.

The memory bus 118 is utilized by the microprocessor 116 to access RAM120 and ROM 122. RAM 120 is used by microprocessor 116 as a generalstorage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to storeinput data and processed data. ROM 122 can be used to store instructionsor program code followed by microprocessor 116 as well as other data.

Peripheral bus 124 is used to access the input, output and storagedevices used by the electronic system 100. In the describedembodiment(s), these devices include a display screen 104, an accessorydevice 106, a speaker 102, a communications device 108, and a networkinterface 112. A keypad controller 126 is used to receive input from thekeypad 114 and send decoded symbols for each pressed key tomicroprocessor 116 over bus 128.

The display screen 104 is an output device that displays images of dataprovided by the microprocessor 116 via the peripheral bus 124 orprovided by other components in the electronic system 100. Other outputdevices such as a printer, plotter, typesetter, etc. can be utilized asan accessory device 106.

The microprocessor 116 together with an operating system operate toexecute computer code and produce and use data. The computer code anddata may reside on RAM 120, ROM 122, or other storage mediums. Thecomputer code and data could also reside on a removable program mediumand loaded or installed onto the electronic system 100 when needed.Removable program mediums include, for example, PC-CARD, flash memory,and floppy disk.

The network interface 112 is utilized to send and receive data over anetwork connected to other electronic systems. The network interface maybe comprised of a Universal Serial Bus (USB), an external bus standardthat supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits persecond). A single USB port can be used to connect to 127 peripheraldevices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards. An interface card orsimilar device and appropriate software implemented by microprocessor116 can be utilized to connect the electronic system 100 to an existingnetwork and transfer data according to standard protocols including dataover a global computer network such as the Internet.

The keypad 114 is used by a user to input commands and otherinstructions to the electronic system 100. Other types of user inputdevices can also be used in conjunction with the present invention. Forexample, pointing devices such as a computer mouse, a jog switch 22, atrack ball, a stylus, or a tablet to manipulate a pointer on a screen ofthe electronic system 100.

The present invention can also be embodied as computer readable code ona composer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any datastorage device that can store data which can be thereafter be read by aelectronic system. Examples of the computer readable medium includeread-only memory, random-access memory, magnetic data storage devicessuch as diskettes, and optical data storage devices such as CD-ROMs. Thecomputer readable medium can also be distributed over a network coupledelectronic systems so that the computer readable code is stored andexecuted in a distributed fashion.

The communications device 108 may be comprised of any well-knowncommunication system that allows communications with external electronicdevices. The communications device 108 may provide for various types ofcommunication such as but not limited to via infrared (IR), wireless(e.g. BLUETOOTH), unidirectional, bi-directional, radio frequency (RF),visible light, ultrasonic and various other means for communicating withexternal electronic devices.

The environmental unit 110 senses environmental information such aslighting, motion, orientation, temperature, audio and otherenvironmental information. The environmental unit 110 communicates thedetected environmental information to the microprocessor 116 forconsideration in controlling the external electronic devices. Theenvironmental 110 includes the appropriate sensors such as lightsensors, temperature sensors, sound sensors and other desirable sensorsto determine the environment conditions external of the housing.

Input into the electronic system is accomplished mainly through theusage of the keypad 114. The keypad 114 includes a plurality of buttonsthat allow the user to execute one or more commands. The keypad 114allows for the control of basic functions such as volume, channelmanipulations, mute, and last channel. However, the keypad 114 may alsoinclude several buttons that represent a specific task such as watchtelevision, listen to radio and various other tasks. Various other inputdevices may be utilized to input data into the electronic system such asa jog switch 22 (i.e. dial), motion and orientation detectors, touchsensitive screens and voice recognition. The display 104 providesinformation to the user such as possible tasks to complete or thecurrent state of the external electronic devices.

C. Initializing/Synchronizing of Electronic System with External Devices

Prior to utilizing the present invention, the user must program theelectronic system 100 to not only recognize all of the externalelectronic devices 12 to be controlled but also as to each externalelectronic device 12 respective current “states” (i.e. on, off, currentinput, current output, etc.) as is shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

The initial programming of the electronic system 100 may be accomplishedthrough various well-known means such as entering a code for eachspecific external electronic device. “Sampling” of a signal from aremote control utilized to control a specific electronic device may alsobe utilized to assist in the programming of the electronic system 100.Various other methods may be utilized to program the electronic system100 to recognize and control the external electronic devices 12 whichare well known in the art.

After all of the external electrode devices 12 have been properlyprogrammed into the electronic system 100, the user then must programthe “current state” of each external electronic device into theelectronic system 100. This is accomplished typically by the useranswering a series of questions shown on the display regarding eachdisplay. For example, the display may ask “Is the television turned on?”which the user would respond to. It can be appreciated that there canalso be a default state for all of the external devices as being “off.”All of the programmed “Current State Data” is stored within memory ofthe electronic system 100.

D. Current State Data

“Current State Data” is data information relating to the current stateof each of the external electronic devices 12 stored within theelectronic system 100. The “state” of an external electronic device 12is comprised of various variables such as but not limited to power on,power off, volume level, mute on, mute off, audio input, audio output,video input, video output, lights on, lights off, shades open, shadesclosed, and various other states common to external electronic devices12. The Current State Data is updated as actions and/or tasks areperformed to provide an accurate reflection of the actual current stateof the external electronic devices 12. The Current State Data isutilized by the electronic system 100 to determine what externalelectronic devices 12 require modification when a “task” is selected bythe user to prevent undesirable events from occurring.

E. Actions

An “action” is a specific event that occurs that typically only affectsone of the external devices. An example of an action is when the userselects the power button on the keypad 114 to turn off the televisionwhich causes the television to switch from on to off or vice-versa.

The Current State Data is immediately modified to reflect the changedstate of the television or other external electronic device after anaction occurs as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings. The CurrentState Data is constantly updated to maintain an accurate reflection ofthe actual current state of the external electronic devices 12.

F. Tasks

A “task” may be comprised of one or more “actions” depending upon (1)the desired state of all external devices as prescribed by the task, and(2) the current state of all external devices. Examples of tasks are“watch television, ” “listen to radio,” “watch video,” “listen to CD's,”“watch DVD”, and so forth. There are many more tasks that mayaccomplished with the present invention that are not discussed but aredeemed readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

Each task has a “desired state” for each of the external electronicdevices 12. When a task is selected, either through the keypad or thedisplay, the electronic system 100 immediately determines the CurrentState Data and compares this data to the “Desired State Data” for all ofthe external electronic devices 12. After determining which externalelectronic devices 12 are in the desired state and which are not in thedesired state, the electronic system 100 transmits a communicationsignal to the external electronic devices 12 that are not in the desiredstate to switch to the desired state based upon the task to bepreformed.

Another function of the present invention is to allow for the electronicsystem 100 to determine what menu options (i.e. “tasks”) that areavailable upon the display 104 based upon the current state of theexternal electronic devices 12. For example, if the television iscurrently on, the menu within the display may display the “TurnTelevision Off” task instead of the “Turn Television On” task which isnot required.

G. Watch Television Task Example

Assuming for the sake of example that a user using the present inventionhas (1) interior lighting, (2) electronically controlled shades, (3) astereo, (4) a television, (5) a CD player, and (6) a VCR which areprogrammed and synchronized within the electronic system as statedabove. FIG. 11 illustrates the “WATCH TELEVISION” task. Below is asample listing of the “Current State Data” prior to the selection of theWATCH TELEVISION task as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings.

External Device Initial State Prior to Execution of Task 1. RoomLighting Lights turned on and shades open during evening hours. 2.Stereo Turned on with input audio from CD player. 3. Television Turnedoff with volume very high. 4. CD Player On and playing CD. 5. VCR Off.

After selecting the WATCH TELEVISION task, the electronic system 100immediately reads the Current State Data and compares the same to the“Desired State Data.” Below is a listing of the Desired State Data forthe WATCH TELEVISION task.

Desired State Data

External Device Desired State After Execution of Task 1. Room LightingLight threshold at a minimum. 2. Stereo Turned on with input audio fromtelevision. 3. Television Turned on with volume at a low-medium setting.4. CD Player Off. 5. VCR Off.

After comparing the Current State Data to the Desired State Data, theelectronic system 100 determines that the room lighting needs to bereduced by turning off lights and closing shades along with switchingthe audio input to the television. The electronic system 100 furtherdetermines that the television needs to be turned on and the CD playerturned off. Below is a listing of the individual actions that theelectronic system 100 takes to perform the WATCH TELEVISION task.

Actions Performed to Reach Desired State

External Device Action Performed 1. Room Lighting Turn lighting off andclose shades 2. Stereo Switch input audio to television. 3. TelevisionTurn on and reduce volume to low-medium setting. 4. CD Player Turn off.5. VCR No action taken.

After she specific actions are executed to accomplish the overall task,the memory within the electronic system 100 is automatically updated toreflect the various changes to the state of each individual externalelectronic device 12 for reference later. Below is a listing of theCurrent State Data after the WATCH TELEVISION task has been performed.

Current State Data (After Execution of Task)

External Device Current State After Execution of Task 1. Room LightingLight threshold at a minimum. 2. Stereo Turned on with input audio fromtelevision. 3. Television Turned on with volume at a low-medium setting.4. CD Player Off. 5. VCR Off.

The above process is repeated for the life of the state-based remotecontrol system 10. If additional external electronic devices are addedto the overall entertainment system of the user, the user simplyprograms the added device 12 into the electronic system 100 andsynchronizes the electronic system 100 accordingly,

Synchronization:

In the event that the simulated and physical devices are not in the samestate, the user is able to initiate the synchronization procedure.During this procedure, the aim is to resynchronize the simulated andphysical devices as quickly as possible. There are a number of ways toperform this procedure:

1) Exhaustive

If a device has a small number of state variables (say, two), then theuser can choose to cycle through all of the possible combined statesuntil the device reaches the desired state. For example, the user maykeep pressing a button until the television is in the powered on state,with the input set to ‘Aux 1’.

3) Simulated Device State Changes

In this mode, the user conveys to the state-based remote control thecurrent state of the physical device, and the state of the simulateddevice is altered to match.

It is noted that the synchronization procedure may be performed for oneor more devices. It is noted that the user may be prompted with a subsetof the synchronization procedure after performing an operation with thestate-based remote control. For example, after selecting ‘WatchTelevision’, the user may be given synchronization options regarding thetelevision and receiver, but not the CD or DVD player.

It is noted that the user may be prompted through the synchronizationprocedure after performing an operation with the state-based remotecontrol. For example, after selecting ‘Watch Television’, the user maybe prompted with ‘Is everything working correctly?’, and if the userresponds ‘No’, they would then go through a synchronization proceduresimilar to the following; ‘Is the television switched on?’, ‘Can you seea picture on the television?’, ‘Is the receiver switched on?’, ‘Can youhear sound from the receiver?’.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise ofthose skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations andrelationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A state-machine system, comprising: a processorconfigured to operate a state machine, wherein the state machine is amodel of states and state transitions of at least one externalelectronic device, and wherein the processor is configured to navigatethe state machine to calculate, update, and store simulated states fromsimulated state transitions of the state machine for the at least oneexternal electronic device; a user input device coupled to the processorand configured to receive input from a user for changing a current stateof the at least one external electronic device to another stateassociated with the input; and a transmitter coupled to the processorand configured to transmit a set of control signals to the at least oneexternal electronic device for changing the current state of the atleast one external electronic device to the another state, wherein theprocessor is configured to receive the input from the user input deviceto navigate the state machine to calculate, update, and store asimulated state corresponding to the another state based on thesimulated state transitions, the current state, and the input, andwherein the processor is configured to control transmission by thetransmitter.
 18. The state-machine system of claim 17, wherein theprocessor is configured to navigate the state machine to store,calculate, and updated the simulated state prior to controlling thetransmitter to transmit a subsequent set of control signals for asubsequent input received from a user.
 19. The state-machine system ofclaim 17, wherein the set of control signals are a dynamic set ofcontrol signals.
 20. The state-machine system of claim 19, wherein theset of control signals are for a macro.
 21. The state-machine system ofclaim 17, wherein the input device includes a keypad.
 22. Thestate-machine system of claim 17, further comprising a display coupledto the processor, wherein the processor is configured to control thedisplay to display the simulated state.
 23. The state-machine system ofclaim 17, wherein: the processor is configured to operate a plurality ofstate machines, which includes the first mentioned state machine, theplurality of state machines respectively correspond to a plurality ofexternal electronic devices, which includes the first mentioned externalelectronic device, each state machine is configured to model states andstate transitions of a corresponding one of the external electronicdevice, and the processor is configured to navigate each of the statemachines to store, calculate, and updated simulated states and simulatedstate transitions of the plurality of external electronic devices. 24.The state-machine system of claim 23, wherein the transmitter isconfigured to transmit sets of control signals to the plurality ofexternal electronic device for changing the states of the externalelectronic devices,
 25. The state-machine system of claim 19, whereinthe processor is configured to modify and execute the dynamic set ofcontrol signals based on a desired state of the at least one externalelectronic device and a comparison of the simulated state.
 26. Thestate-machine system of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured todetermine whether to modify a current state of the at least one externalelectronic device based on whether the simulated state matches a stateassociated with the input.
 27. The state-machine system of claim 17,wherein at least one of the states includes a state of more than oneexternal electronic device.
 28. A device including a state-machine, thedevice comprising: a processor configured to operate a state machine,wherein the state machine is a model of states and state transitions ofat least one external electronic device, and wherein the processor isconfigured to identify a current state and to navigate the state machineto store, calculate, and update a simulated state and a simulated statetransition; and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured totransmit a set of control signals for changing the current state of theat least one external electronic device to a simulated state, whereinthe processor is configured to update the current state in the statemachine to the simulated state based on the transmitted set of controlsignals.
 29. The device of claim 28, further comprising a user inputdevice coupled to the processor and configured to receive input from auser for changing a state of the at least one external electronicdevice.
 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configuredto navigate the state machine to store, calculate, and update thesimulated state prior to controlling the transmitter to transmit asubsequent set of control signals for a subsequent input received viathe user input.
 31. The device of claim 29, wherein the input deviceincludes a keypad.
 32. The device of claim 29, wherein the processor isconfigured to modify a state of the at least one external electronicdevice if the simulated state does not match a state associated with theinput, and to not modify a state of the at least one external electronicdevice if the simulated state does match the state associated with theinput.
 33. The device of claim 28, wherein the set of control signalsare a dynamic set of control signals.
 34. The device of claim 33,wherein the set of control signals are for a macro.
 35. The device ofclaim 28, further comprising a display coupled to the processor, whereinthe processor is configured to control the display to display an aspectof the simulated state.
 36. The device of claim 28, wherein: theprocessor is configured to operate a plurality of state machines, whichincludes the first mentioned state machine, the plurality of statemachines respectively correspond to a plurality of external electronicdevices, which includes the first mentioned external electronic device,each state machine is configured to model states and state transitionsof a corresponding one of the external electronic device, and theprocessor is configured to navigate each of the state machines to store,calculate, and updated simulated states and simulated state transitionsof the plurality of external electronic devices.
 37. The device of claim36, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit sets of controlsignals to the plurality of external electronic device for changing thestates of the external electronic devices,
 38. The device of claim 28,wherein the processor is configured to modify and execute the set ofcontrol signals based on a desired state of the at least one externalelectronic device and a comparison of the simulated state.
 39. Thedevice of claim 28, wherein the device is a remote control.
 40. A methodof operating a state-machine based device configured to control a set ofexternal electronic devices, comprising: receiving input at astate-machine based device for controlling a set of external electronicdevices; and determining on the state-machine based device vianavigation of a state machine, which is a model of states and statetransitions of the set of external electronic devices, a set ofsimulated states and a set of simulated state transitions for the set ofexternal electronic devices based on the input and a set of currentstates of the set of external electronic devices.
 41. The method ofclaim 40, further comprising transmitting from the state-machine baseddevice a set of command codes to the set of external electronic devicesfor controlling the set of external electronic devices to change statefrom the set of current states to the set of simulated states
 42. Themethod of claim 40, further comprising storing by the state-machinebased device the set of simulated states in a local memory of thestate-machine based device, wherein the set of simulated states are theset of current states for a second input, which is subsequent input tothe first mentioned input.
 43. The method of claim 40, wherein the statemachine includes a plurality of state variable, which represent thepossible states of the set of external electronic devices.
 44. Themethod of claim 40, wherein the state-machine based device is a remotecontrol device.
 45. The method of claim 40, wherein the receiving stepincludes receiving via a user input the input.
 46. The method of claim40, wherein the set of external electronic devices includes a set ofmedia players.
 47. The method of claim 40, wherein the set of mediaplayers includes a television set and a video player.
 48. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the set of current states is a set of simulatedcurrent states simulated by the state-machine based device vianavigation of the state machine.